San Andres (Paracas Bay)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
San Andres (Paracas Bay) is a shallow, sandy kite spot characterized by thermic afternoon winds. Wind is reported as starting around noon and continuing into the evening, with the most consistent months typically falling between September and April. Typical wind is in the low-to-mid 20s knots (with occasional stronger conditions), and the water is generally flat to choppy rather than surfy. The launch area is described as sandy and relatively straightforward, but it sits alongside a functioning fishing port. This is the main practical concern: riders should expect boats, mooring lines, ropes/nets, and occasional rocks near certain sections of shoreline (including the southern end). In stronger winds, conditions can become more intense, so keeping clear of active mooring areas and avoiding submerged hazards becomes even more important. Kitesurfing is the best-aligned discipline for this spot. The bay’s mix of flat water and manageable chop makes it suitable for freeride progression and for learning, with standard kite ranges commonly cited around 8–12 m. Wingfoiling is also reported as workable once you are beyond the immediate shallow shore zone, where water depth becomes sufficient for foiling. Facilities and access are oriented around Paracas town and nearby areas, with parking mentioned at/near the kite area and food/drink available close to the beach. There is no lifeguard presence reported, and rescue support is limited—so planning for safe beach exits and keeping a conservative approach in the fishing-activity zones is recommended.
- Thermic S/SSE wind with regular afternoon sessions (roughly noon to sunset).
- Shallow sandy bay that supports easy beach access and learning.
- Flat-to-choppy water, not heavy surf.
- Fishing-port setting: strong operational need to avoid mooring and boat zones.
- Very reliable thermic S/SW winds during the windy season, typically from around noon into late afternoon.
- Sandy launch and generally easy access for setting up on the beach.
- Flat-to-choppy water suitable for progressing from learning to freeride, with opportunities for foil once deeper enough.
- Fishing-activity hazards: boats, ropes, nets, and mooring lines near the launch/near-shore area.
- Shallow water and underwater hazards (rocks) require careful navigation.
- Limited rescue availability at the spot.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW, SSE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermic afternoon winds with strong thermal acceleration.
- Reliability
- high in Sep–Apr; reduced reliability in June–July (around 50%)
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady; occasional higher gusts above typical range.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, October, November, December, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small wave activity is reported, with flat-to-choppy conditions being the general experience.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Chop/occasional small chop above stronger winds.
- Launch
- Medium — Medium sandy launch area; shallow and generally easy self-launch.
Through the year
Low to moderate; mostly local riders or those looking for a quieter alternative.
Rain is extremely rare in this desert region; sandstorms can occur during high-wind periods.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat water with occasional small chop above stronger winds; suitable for learning and freeride, with a shallow, sandy setup.
- Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Consistent side-shore wind with a choppy surface suitable for freeride/slalom.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Flat, thermic wind for learning; foiling possible once past the immediate shore.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- shallow
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for San Andres (Paracas Bay) in the full forecast view.
San Andres (Paracas Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–16 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- SW231°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2416 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.0 m10s period
- Temperature
- 21–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, San Andres (Paracas Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.5–1.0 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Fishing boats
- Ropes and nets
- Mooring lines
- Urban debris near the shoreline
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Limited rescue support specifically for kiters; no immediate dedicated rescue reported at the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Medical clinics are available in nearby Pisco or the main Paracas town center.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — None reported.
Rules of the spot
Free access; respect national reserve boundaries.
- National reserve entrance fee: 11 soles per person.
- Launch area is shared with local fishing activities.
- San Andres is a fishing port: watch out for boats, ropes, and mooring areas.
- Avoid riding directly through active fishing boat mooring areas.
- When wind is above 25 knots, downwind riding toward Pisco is possible (long journey).
- Watch for submerged rocks near the southern end of the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Paracas
- Nearest Town
- Paracas
- Parking
- Car park available at the kite spot; street parking also reported near the beach area.
- Public Transport
- Long-distance bus services to Paracas/Pisco from Lima; then taxi/car to the spot.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation in Paracas town is about 2 km from the spot; hostels/guesthouses also noted in San Andres.
- Food & Drink
- Cafe and restaurants near the spot; numerous local seafood restaurants along the waterfront.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available through kite schools; no dedicated shops reported in San Andres itself (rentals available in nearby Paracas town).
- Gear Storage
- Secure gear storage available through schools/hotels for a daily or weekly fee.
- Gear Repair
- Basic kite/wing repairs handled by local schools; major work may require transport to Lima.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Paracas is a unique destination where the hyper-arid desert meets rich Pacific waters, offering nature encounters and a strong hub of wind-based activities supported by local schools and rentals.
Often called the 'Poor Man's Galapagos,' home to sea lions, penguins, and diverse bird species.
Paracas National Reserve with sea lions, sea birds, and nutrient-rich waters.
A massive, prehistoric geoglyph etched into the side of a hill visible from the sea.
Access point to Paracas National Reserve.
Massive sand dunes near a desert oasis for dune buggy rides and boarding.
Waterfront area lined with seafood restaurants serving local ceviche and bars.
Waterfront bars in Paracas town.
Restaurants serving local seafood.
Educational displays about local wildlife and the history of Paracas culture.
Boat tours to wildlife islands in Paracas Bay.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at San Andres (Paracas Bay)?
The best overall months at San Andres (Paracas Bay) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, October, November, December, September.
Which wind directions work at San Andres (Paracas Bay)?
San Andres (Paracas Bay) works with S, SW, SSE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at San Andres (Paracas Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at San Andres (Paracas Bay): Kitesurfing: 8–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is San Andres (Paracas Bay) suitable for?
San Andres (Paracas Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner.